Topical Tropes

These are what we call the 'YMMV items.' Things that some people find in this work. We call them 'your mileage might vary' because not everyone sees these things in the same way. This starts discussions in the trope lists, a thing we don't want. Please use the discussion page if you'd like to discuss any of these items.

Ensemble Darkhorse — Despite being on the cover, Superman was just one of a number of characters introduced in this book. Nobody really expected much success with him; in fact, Supes had already been rejected by a number of publications, and appeared here only because they really, really needed material. In fact, after the first issue, they kept him off the cover for a number of issues because of the uncertainty of his success. However, by issue 14 it became incontrovertible that Superman was the reason for the immense sales and he was on the cover for good.

Hilarious in Hindsight: The first issue of the Action Comics that showed the deal between a Sleazy Politician and Corrupt Corporate Executive in United States (neutral during the time of its publication) to take part in Europe became awkward in 1939 (provision of arms to Allies through Lend-and-Lease-Program) and 1942 (When US officially entered the war after Pearl Harbor attack).

Signature Scene: The cover of Action Comics #1, featuring Superman smashing a car to the crooks bewilderment and horror, is not only the most famous image in the Superman series, but one of the most famous comic book images of all time.

Strawman Has a Point: From the Silver Age #176 Muscles For Money, where Superman decides to start charging money to save people. While it's certainly true that Superman was doing some reprehensible things (charging insane amounts, forcing people to sign contracts before he'll save their lives, etc) the primary argument seems to be that Superman doesn't deserve any sort of reward for the good he does. The worst part is when Superman politely requests the $10,000 reward for two criminals he brought in only to have everyone declare him a money-grubber for it, despite the fact that this is a reward the police themselves had offered and which anyone else besides Superman would have been given happily.

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